Currently boasting 269,605,965 American subscribers, mobile handsets are on target to become the leading Internet appliance over the next 10 years. So it is not surprising that a recent report revealed that 66 percent of American mobile subscribers between the ages of 30 and 49 use text messaging.
What is surprising, however, is how fast text messaging is rivaling, and even exceeding, voice-based communications.
"Clearly, text messaging has been on a tremendous upswing because it's fast, it's easy, and you can do it in a room when other things are going on," says personal technology analyst Rob Enderle.
Research supports Enderle’s observation. During the second quarter of 2008, Nielson Mobile research revealed that a typical mobile user sent 357 text messages per month while making or receiving 204 phone calls. The changeover to texting especially predominates among teens -- but texting is also growing in popularity in every age group under 45.
So why text when you can call?
Over half of mobile users in shopping research company Wirefly’s surveys say that they find texting easier than calling; that texting is more convenient than calling in many circumstances (because of the privacy you gain); and that the majority of text messages are going to a small group of family and friends. In one survey, 10 percent of users claimed to prefer not to speak at all!
The popularity of texting has prompted blogospheric conversations on the "growing depersonalization" of communications between people.
To be sure, text messages with a limit of 150 characters are not likely to spark the same flames as the handwritten love letters exchanged between Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning. But is that all bad?
In a survey done in 2006, 63 percent of parents claimed that texting improves their communications with their children.
In the not-too-distant future, new applications in fields like healthcare will allow patients “on the road” to receive alerts about their medications (and the need to take them), as well as reminders of doctors’ appointments. News, sports, weather, movie schedules, and traffic reports are already broadcast-texted. And now there are new voice-to-text applications that allow drivers to verbalize their text messages, which are then translated into text and sent -- with no need for drivers to take their hands off the wheel.
Texting will continue its ascent in 2009, at the same time that it exerts downward price pressure on telecommunications providers. Dollarwise, telecom companies have a lot at stake. Texting is a very lucrative business that requires virtually no infrastructure changes -- with pay plans that range from a nickel to ten cents per message, and monthly plans that range from $5 to $20. The telecoms also keep their users in “silos,” allowing users to only text with other subscribers.
Bottom line? Expect texting in 2009 to continue to transform both business and usage models. Here are some specific predictions:
Telecom user “silos” will open up for cross-silo texting.
Smaller companies like SayType and Text for Free will keep the pressure on for free texting by challenging current telecom pricing models.
Look for telecoms to replace subscriber-based revenue with new revenue sources such as online advertisers.
Thanks for the reference to the "texting" blog. It really makes a very good read!! I was just curious though to know who designed those text etiqutte questions whethet it was a professional Psychologist? Even though that etiqutte rating is a good start, i belive you can improved on it by attaching a range of scores which people can easily relate to it. I don't know how you should go about it but i belive you can attach scores to the answers for those questions and then come up with a total individual score.
But nevertheless, that is a good start and wish you well in your endeavors. Besides trying to develop some form of etiqutte, what other methods are you employing to make the texting experience a fascinating one??
Paul, the excerpts about texting etiquette are on the blog space of www.mytextalk.com.
We are working on publishing sets of rules or guideliness that will go in the back of the pocket glossaries- while used in a humorous way, is intended to educate.
we have published a number of texting etiquette articles, that help promote "rational" texting, in terms of staying connected with your child.
I'll look for the blogg posting to show you-
but my son probably texts (very short mind you)...yes...no....nothing...etc. answers to his friends..maybe 30-40 a day.
The girls text him in cycles...usually 200+ times a day if their is a crush going on or gossip going around the school. That is why i got involved..the girls were taking it to a whole new level and some of the discussions completely inappropriate. So i had to use this as an opportunity to teach him self control. I said, "either you will talk to them about this, or i will."
And he handled it...i do screen his texts maybe once or twice a month to ensure they aren't being inappropriate or something odd isn't going on. Most of the time its innocent conversation. He is a boy of few words. But its important to watch...The sexting trend is moving forward quickly- not just a topic on Dr. Phil...its real and you have to put a stop to it quickly.
I think its a tool for young adults that are a) shy, b) inquisitive, c) seeking engagement on a safe level...they can reach out in ways that feel safe - but it shelters them from learning key interaction / social skills that are important in life, so texting has its place, and My Textalk will move forward with that agenda in mind.
Let's take the IRC equivalent. I wonder just how many messages I have sent/received on IRC in a given month. Add to that the number of IM messages sent/received and I would bet anything that I have exceeded this young ladies totals.
When you look at it, TXT is nothing more than IM-NCR (No Computer Required). When you look at it in that manner, it doesn't seem that strange to me.
What role does www.mytextalk.com plays in texting etiquette? Going through your website does not reveal anything much of significance!! In a nutshell, are you trying to promote texting to "mainstream" business?? I agreed that texting is a cool way to keep in touch but sending nearly 15000 texts in a month simply tell me that something is really wrong in that situation. How many texts do your boy sends out in a month??
i agree- i have a 13-year old boy and because i work, i need to be able to communicate with him during school- for just important things. Did you remember "X"? or don't forget you have practice today after school....or meet at the corner of blank and blank for your volunteer time this afternoon...
While i don't want to distract him from class, i have no other way to stay connected with our lives as busy as they are. And I agree, to have quality time at home after school, for dinner is imperative. THey have to learn face to face communication so when they get older they don't hind behind a machine to communicate to their relationships.
Texting is a great way for parents to stay involved in their child's life - i also agree that texting etiquette is critical. I saw an article on www.mytextalk.com about this as well...some kids are really rude by texting to their friends when with other friends. Safety and politeness are still necessary and should be taught to our kids with or without a cell phone.
You've hit it on the head with respect to the telcos and where they will play in all of this.
They "own" the service lines.
So what they likely will have to do is to find new add-on revenue sources like video content to replace commodity services like long distance and texting.
There is some industry regulatory research being done on advertising via texting, but no guidelines that I know of which state how and when it should be used.
Meanwhile, sending tack-on ads to opt-in subscribers to sports and other texted services is a very lucrative business that continues to gain traction.
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